Key facts about social sportsbooks for those in a hurry
- They are free-to-play platforms that operate via a dual virtual currency system: Gold Coins for fun and Sweeps Coins for potentially redeemable cash prizes.
- Due to their sweepstakes approach (offering free ways to obtain virtual currencies), these platforms are legal in most of the US states.
- My recommended social betting sites are Thrillz, Kickr, Sportzino, Onyx Odds, and ProphetX.
What is a social sportsbook?
It’s a free-to-play online gaming site where bettors use virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to make sports picks or participate in prediction contests. You don’t need real money to play them: just predict the outcome of an event freely, and if you’re correct, you get extra virtual currencies.
Regarding virtual currencies, most social betting apps operate as sweepstakes sportsbooks, offering two main types: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. These virtual currencies are often tailored to match the sportsbook’s theme.
For instance, Onyx sportsbook replaces Gold Coins with Onyx Coins and Sweeps Coins with Onyx Cash. However, they still retain their functionality. Let’s review them quickly.
- Gold Coins (GC): are purely for fun and making casual sports picks. They are not redeemable for real prizes. You can obtain more GC when you accurately predict an event or by purchasing Gold Coins packages for extra play. The latter is optional and doesn’t restrict you from receiving extra freebies.
- Sweeps Coins (SC): are virtual currencies that are redeemable for real prizes. When you receive extra SC (through winnings or promotions), you’ll need to meet playthrough (usually 1x) and minimum balance (between 10 and 100 SC) requirements before you can convert your eligible winnings into gift cards or cash prizes.
This dual-virtual-currency system explains why these social betting sites function in areas where traditional gaming is prohibited.
How do social sportsbooks work?
Social sportsbooks feel like real-money online betting sites, but the only difference is that you use virtual currencies, not cash. But playing on them is pretty straightforward.
Pick any sports you like (American football, Basketball, International soccer, Hockey, Handball, and others), choose an event, and make your predictions using either Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins.
Note that making sports predictions with Gold Coins is purely for practice/fun (and you’ll get extra GC if your picks are correct). If you do so with Sweeps Coins, potential winnings add to your SC balance, which can later be redeemed for real prizes.
Of course, if you want to make more sports picks, you can purchase Gold Coins bundles (which often come with bonus Sweeps Coins). However, you’re not obligated to go through the buying process. You can receive these virtual currencies in the following ways:
- Daily login bonuses
- Free contest entries
- Social media giveaways
- Mini-games or scratch-offs that award bonus virtual currencies
Let’s quickly discuss the redemption process. Any potential SC winnings from these social betting sites can eventually be redeemed for real prizes. Each social sportsbook has its rules and process; ensure to read any associated terms.
Despite the rules, there are standard requirements:
- You must verify your account.
- You must “play through” your SC a number of times. It’s often denoted as 1x, 2x, 3x, or more (depending on the social sportsbook). The idea here is to wager as much SC as you have. For example, if a platform’s playthrough is 1x and you have 50 SC, you must play all your Sweeps Coins at least once before you can redeem them.
- You must meet the minimum SC balance: the smallest amount of eligible SC winnings you can redeem. Prizes are often in the form of gift cards or cash. Once you’ve met these requirements, you can begin the redemption process. This might take a few days, but it’s a legit process, so you have nothing to worry about.
Interestingly, a social casino functions similarly to a social betting site, but instead of making sports picks, you play casino-style games with your virtual currencies.
Are social sportsbooks legal in the US?
Yes, but with a few twists! Social sportsbooks are designed to be 100% legal under US sweepstakes rules. The law states key requirements for these platforms, including:
- Bettors must be able to place social bets and win without spending any money. That’s why all sites provide free virtual currencies when you sign up and run various promotions.
- The outcomes must be random, like lottery draws or simple bets. You don’t need any special skill (you’re predicting unknown results).
Because of this setup, social sportsbooks operate in many US states, even in regions where traditional online sports gaming is banned. They include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If you live in any of the above areas, using a social sportsbook is completely fine. And since everything is done via virtual currencies, these apps are well-regulated. They also use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption and identity checks to ensure your safety, just like any real-money betting site.
My top 5 recommended social sportsbooks for social bettors like you and me
If you’re interested in social sportsbooks, you need a platform that suits your preferences. I’ve reviewed five platforms, each offering unique features that attract different types of bettors. Let’s check them out.
1. Thrillz: Deep sports lineup and social team picks
Thrillzz In A Nutshell
Thrillz has a huge sports menu: the National Football League (NFL), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), niche leagues, and international events. You can place your social bets by claiming the site’s many bonus offers, starting with the welcome offer of 3,000 Thrillzz Coins + 3 Thrillzz Sweeps.
The site features a toggle for Casual Mode, where you use Thrillzz Coins to make picks for fun or practice; no redemption rights, and Sweepstakes Mode, where you use Thrillzz Sweeps to enter prize-eligible predictions.
When you make correct predictions in Sweepstakes mode, you receive Prize Tickets. You must have at least 50 Tickets and satisfy the social sportsbook’s rules before you can redeem them for real money prizes.
Thrillz is available via mobile app (iOS and Android); desktop play is not available. The social sportsbook also rewards you with daily login bonuses and loyalty rewards to help you build virtual currency over time. Ineligible states include Alabama, California, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, and Washington.
How To Sign Up
- Visit the Website: Navigate to the official Thrillzz website on your desktop or mobile browser.
- Click on “Sign Up”: Look for the “Join Now” button, found at the top right corner.
- Provide your personal information, email address, and create a secure password.
- Verify your email address and complete any KYC requirements.
- Once signed up, you’ll automatically receive your free Thrillzz Coins and Sweeps!
BONUS
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2. Kickr: Major leagues, fast redemptions, and big signup bonuses
Kickr In A Nutshell
Kickr is another social sportsbook built for variety. It covers NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football and basketball, soccer, Formula One (F1), Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and lots more. Its market’s lineup reads like any real-money sportsbook: moneylines, point spreads, totals, player props, and parlays.
On this platform, you use Bits (Gold Coins) for casual play and Bucks (Sweeps Coins) for making sports picks that qualify for real prize redemptions. And you need at least 50 Bucks to begin the exchange process.
Kickr’s welcome bonus includes 150,000 Bits and 4 Bucks, so you have enough bankroll to start making your picks. You can also get additional virtual currencies through daily logins, referral bonuses, and a VIP program. Just keep in mind you won’t be able to join if you are residing in Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, or Washington.
3. Sportzino: Huge sports coverage and welcome rewards
Sportzino In A Nutshell
Sportzino is another social sportsbook that covers 40+ sports, including NFL and NBA, eSports, virtual sports like simulated basketball, and horse racing. The betting menu is comprehensive, offering moneylines, spreads, totals, props, and futures-style markets, depending on the sport and event.
One standout feature I enjoyed is Sportzino’s live (in-play) betting with real-time streaming integrated. So you can watch a game and make sports predictions in real time without switching apps.
Sportzino has one of the most generous bonuses out there. New bettors get a huge welcome deal of 220,000 GC + 10 SC just for signing up. And when it’s redemption time, you must have at least 50 SC. The platform also boasts a huge game section if you fancy a break from making sports picks. This social sportsbook is currently restricted in Idaho, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, New York, and Washington.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Sign Up'.
- Enter your personal details in the registration form and click 'Create Free Account'.
- Verify your email address and use your exclusive offer!
BONUS
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4. Onyx Odds: Sleek new platform with low redemption
Onyx Odds In A Nutshell
Onyx Odds is another premium social sportsbook where you can make sports picks on the usual staples: NFL, NBA, college football, hoops, and niche events like UFC and tennis. The platform splits its virtual currencies into Onyx Coins (for play, non-redeemable) and Onyx Cash (redeemable after meeting the platform’s conditions). Be wary of the state eligibility as well, because you won’t be able to place your social bets here if you are from Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, or Nevada.
You need at least 20 Onyx Cash and satisfy a 1x playthrough before you can redeem eligible winnings for real prizes. Onyx supports core markets (moneyline, spreads, props) across major leagues. It also offers live betting features. The platform’s welcome deal is worth mentioning; at the time of writing, Onyx Odds offers a 100% match on your Onyx Coins purchase with up to 100 in bonus picks.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Sign Up'
- Enter email, username and password. Tickboxes for T&C's. Click 'Create Account'.
- Enter personal details such as full name, date of birth, address.
- Click 'Verify Identity'.
BONUS
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5. ProphetX: Peer-to-peer betting with custom odds
Prophet X In A Nutshell
ProphetX brings a whole new flavor to the social sportsbook scene. Rather than playing against the house, you’re matched directly with other social bettors. You can even propose your own odds for someone else to accept. Keep in mind: once a match settles in your favor, ProphetX charges a small commission (around 3%) on your potential net winnings.
Like other contenders, this social sportsbook supports the big leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, soccer, and college football. It runs on two virtual currencies: Prophet Points (purely for entertainment) and Prophet Cash (redeemable for cash prizes). Ensure to play through any bonus Prophet Cash at least once and have 10 eligible Prophet Cash winnings to qualify for redemption.
As a new user, I was offered 1.5% of Prophet Cash volume back for 30 days (max 200 Prophet Cash), along with a 20% Prophet Points purchase match. But do remember that you can’t claim these offers or join the sportsbook if you’re from Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, or Washington.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Register'
- Enter emaill address, password, referral code, click 'Continue'.
- Enter personal details such as address and date of birth.
- Tickboxes for age verification and T&C agreement. Click 'Register'
BONUS
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A quick rundown of my top-reviewed social sportsbooks
The table below summarizes the social sportsbooks according to their sports selections, markets, prize redemptions, and standout features.
| Brand | Sports selections | Markets | Coins and prize redemptions | Standout features |
| Thrillz | All major US and world sports (NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, etc.) | Moneyline, point spreads, totals, and props | Get Tickets for correct picks and redeem them for gift cards/cash. | Squads mode: Team up with friends and climb leaderboards. |
| Kickr | Every top US sport (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) plus college, soccer, F1, and MMA | Spreads, totals, props, and parlays | Two currencies: Bits (free play) and Bucks (redeemable). Only 50 Bucks needed to redeem for real prizes. | Full sportsbook with robust promos. |
| Sportzino | 40+ sports (NFL, NBA, NCAA, soccer, plus eSports & virtuals) | Moneyline, spreads, totals, props and futures | Gold Coins for play, Sweeps Coins for real prize redemptions. Minimum of 50 SC needed to redeem for real prizes. | Huge welcome promos; built-in live streams; colossal 1,000+ game library. |
| Onyx Odds | Covers NFL, NBA, college football/basketball, NHL, UFC, tennis, etc | Moneyline, spreads, totals, and props | Onyx Coins (for fun play) and Onyx Cash (redeemable once conditions are met). You need at least 20 Onyx Cash for cash prize redemption. | Sleek mobile-first interface and solid VIP rewards program. |
| ProphetX | Major pro and college sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, soccer, etc.) | Peer-to-peer custom odds exchanges | Prophet Points and Prophet Cash. Only 10 Prophet Cash needed for redemption. | Peer-to-peer exchange: specify your own odds or match others. |
How to find the best of the bunch
An impressive lineup of top social sportsbooks, you’d agree. But how do you pick the right one? Well, here are a few things to look out for:
🏅 Sports and Betting Markets Covered
Make sure your favorite leagues and props are there. My reviewed social betting apps cover NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college, soccer, and even niche stuff with lots of props. More options mean more potential ways to win.
🎁 Free Play and Bonuses
Look for sites with the best sportsbook promotions and daily freebies. The reviewed platforms give you free virtual currencies just for logging in or completing challenges. I also hunt for bonus codes or “daily spin” features that add extra virtual currencies. Also, keep an eye on the rewards program: many apps give you extra virtual currencies just for actively making sports predictions.
💻 User Experience
A smooth site is key to making fast predictions, either on a PC or a desktop. Select a social betting platform that offers fast-loading games, clear odds, and easy navigation. Some apps even have community chat or leaderboards for extra fun. If it’s clunky or glitchy, move on.
🔄 Ease of Redemption
Even if you rack up Sweeps Coins as fast as possible, prize redemptions ought to be smooth as well. Feel free to read reviews or FAQs to see if the site’s redemption process is swift. Most sites will require some KYC (ID checks) before letting you redeem eligible SC winnings. So, expect your redeemed real money prizes within 1-5 business days.
📜 State Legality
As mentioned, not all states allow social sportsbook operations. Before signing up, make sure the platform is available in your region.
Pros and cons of social sportsbooks
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s great and what to watch out for on social sportsbooks.
- Place social bets for free
- NFL, NBA, and MLB to soccer, eSports, and niche leagues
- Social interactions and friendly competitions
- Not available in every US state
Lock in and place your social bets with the best social sportsbooks today!
There are many things to love about social sportsbooks. They let you play without needing to risk cash. When you make accurate sports picks, you obtain extra Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins (which the latter can redeem for real prizes).
Interestingly, I’ve reviewed five notable social betting sites: Thrillz, Kickr, Sportzino, Onyx Odds, and ProphetX, each with its amiable offerings and generous promotions. They also run under sweepstakes rules, so they are legal in most US states.
Ready to explore these platforms and pick the one that matches your play style? Click the banners on this page to register an account, make your selections, and redeem real money prizes. Have fun as you go!
Get off to a great start with these social betting bonuses
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- Solid variety of sports and markets
- Social “Squads” feature adds competition
- Live in-play betting options
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FAQs about social sportsbook
What is a social sportsbook?
It’s an online sports gaming platform that uses virtual currencies instead of real money. You make picks on games using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, and if you win, you get more virtual currencies. You can then convert eligible SC winnings into real money prizes after following the platform’s redemption rules.
Is it legal to use a social sportsbook in my state?
Generally, yes; social sportsbooks operate under sweepstakes laws, which make them legal in most US states. Only a few regions block them fully. Some states may restrict prize redemptions, so it’s important to check the site’s specific terms.
How do I win real prizes on these sites?
First off, you can only exchange eligible SC winnings for real prizes. Once you’ve met the site’s requirements (usually a 1x playthrough and a minimum SC balance of 10, 20, or 50), you can request a prize redemption. The operator will verify your identity (KYC) and process your request.
Do I have to pay to play at these social sportsbooks?
No. These social sportsbooks give bettors free virtual currencies via welcome bonuses, daily log-ins, and ongoing promos. As such, you don’t need to pay to play games. However, if you want extra GC and bonus SC, these platforms have Gold Coins bundles for optional purchase.
Which social sportsbook is the best?
It depends on what you like. I always check which one has my favorite sports leagues, the nicest bonuses, and a strong community. This guide lists five top names, so try them out and pick your favorite.